This IRS notice says the IRS needs more time to verify information on your tax return. If you filed the return, you do not need to take action and should allow up to 60 days before reaching out; if you did not file it, the IRS says someone may have used your personal information to file it.
What to have in front of you
- Your notice, including its date.
- Your tax return, if you filed one.
- Your income and withholding documents.
- If you did not file the return, Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.
The notice date matters for the IRS guidance about when to call. If you did not file the return, the address at the top of the notice is also part of the IRS instructions for mailing the form.
What the IRS is reviewing
The IRS says it needs more time to verify your income, income tax withholding, tax credits and/or business income. It says to allow up to 60 days before reaching out.
The IRS selects some returns for review to determine whether income, expenses and credits are reported correctly. The IRS says selection for review does not mean you made an error or were dishonest.
The next instructions depend on whether you filed the return. The IRS gives one set of instructions for people who filed and another for people who did not.
If you filed the return
The IRS says you do not need to take any action.
Its guidance about calling is: “Please do not call us until 60 days after the notice date and only if you haven’t received your refund or heard from us by then.”
You can track your refund status online or in the IRS app. The IRS says to allow up to 60 days before reaching out.
If you did not file the return
The IRS says someone may have used your personal information to file the return. It gives these instructions:
- Download Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.
- Complete the form on paper for faster service.
- Sign the completed form.
- Mail it to the address at the top of your notice.
The form and mailing instructions apply if you did not file the return. The IRS says completing the form on paper is for faster service.
The IRS also says you can consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN. It describes this as a way to prevent misuse of your taxpayer identification number on fraudulent federal income tax returns.
Reviewing information for next year
For next year, the IRS suggests reviewing all your income and withholding documents for completeness. It also suggests reviewing your return to make sure you are eligible to claim all the income, credits and business income you reported.
The IRS suggests considering filing your taxes electronically. It says filing online can help you avoid mistakes and find credits and deductions that you may qualify for. In many cases, the IRS says, you can file for free.
These are tips for next year. For the current notice, follow the IRS instructions based on whether you filed the return.
Help and IRS resources
The IRS says you can authorize someone to represent you before the IRS. You can also authorize someone to inspect and/or receive confidential tax information.
You may be eligible for free help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service. You may also qualify for help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.
The IRS lists these publications and reference tools:
- Publication 3498-A, The Examination Process
- Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer
- Notice Topic 651
- Notice Topic 653
- The full list of tax forms and instructions
The IRS also provides information about e-file and the IRS Identity Protection PIN. If you did not receive a letter or notice, the IRS says to use Let us help you.
Where this comes from
IRS, What this notice is about.